What Happens When You Stop Dating Online

[caption id="attachment_828200" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Young couple Embracing on beach[/caption] The online dating industry has had an interesting run so far. At first, the 18 to 35 demographic would barely touch it, and it was more of a haven for people in their forties and over, and particularly for divorcees. That makes sense, since that age group doesn’t typically have the same opportunities to meet people of common interests that the younger group does (college classes, a work setting, the happy hour scene etc.) But eventually, millennials took over the online dating world and—as millennials do—made related apps quicker, sexier, and more intuitive. Now the 18 to 35 group has to teach the 40 and up group how to swipe on Tinder. But should we have taken to online dating so strongly? Or is it more of a curse than a blessing? Here’s how your life will change when you stop online dating. [caption id="attachment_702816" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll become so honest

You won’t have a choice because you won’t have the safety of a computer or phone screen to say whatever you want, and manipulate the truth. If you tell a man to his face that you “LOVE sailing” he’ll know instantly if you’re lying because your face isn’t as good at lying as your keyboard is.             [caption id="attachment_616487" align="alignleft" width="467"] Corbis Images[/caption]

You’ll go on fewer dates

How many online dates have you gone on, in which you realized instantly you didn’t like the guy’s vibe? And wished you could just go home? But he got you on that initial date because he was good online. If you only meet men offline, then you can pick up on their vibe before agreeing to a two-hour dinner. You’ll probably go on fewer but better dates.                 [caption id="attachment_703568" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll have to improve your social skills

When you look solely to online dating for your interactions, you can wind up thinking, “I don’t need to be ‘on’ or charming” when you’re out and about. You save all of your good social skills for when those online dates become real dates. But now, you don’t have online dating to rely on—you could meet anyone at any time so you’d better perk up!           [caption id="attachment_702816" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll meet more assertive men

Online dating is both good and bad for men who are shy, lazy about dating, don’t really want two work hard for a relationship and so on. They aren’t the types to approach someone at a bar, and now they don’t have to be. But honestly, it’s the men who are willing to make those human-to-human interactions who typically are willing to make the most effort in relationships.         [caption id="attachment_712485" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll have to check your ego

If you’re being honest, you looked forward to opening your dating apps, and seeing all of the men who messaged you to tell you how gorgeous you are. And you do look good in your photos. Now you don’t get to have that ego boost whenever you want. You need to learn to feel good about yourself without it.           [caption id="attachment_713445" align="alignleft" width="467"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll truly meet people with common interests

When it’s time to list your interests on your online dating profile, you list a lot of things you’re technically interested in—but have never really done or engaged in. Everybody does that! So you end up on dates with guys you actually have little in common with. Now that you’re dating offline, you’ll spend more time doing things you truly love, and you’ll meet men who also truly love those activities.         [caption id="attachment_699977" align="alignleft" width="468"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll become a more efficient worker

You know you waste too much time looking at your online dating accounts when you should be getting work done. You may actually get to leave by 5 pm now that you aren’t wasting an hour a day responding to messages.               [caption id="attachment_703763" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Your friendships will improve

When you went out for drinks with girlfriends before, you were half invested in the conversation, and half wondering when the next appropriate time would be to check your online dating messages.             [caption id="attachment_708137" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Your phone battery will last longer

Having all of those apps open was draining your battery! Now you can save it for things like calling your mom (she’s been wanting to hear from you).               [caption id="attachment_717933" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Someone will ask you out in person (gasp!)

Do you have any idea what a nice feeling it is when somebody asks you out in person? Face to face? Probably not, because all of your ask-outs come with a notification on your phone.               [caption id="attachment_713314" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll be more selective about conversation topics

It’s easy to let pointless conversations drag on and on online. Do you really need to discuss which Chipotle has the shorter lines? If you know you really only have that two-hour window at dinner to get to know each other, you’ll make it count.           [caption id="attachment_710417" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll learn to be okay being alone

Dating online can be a bit like shopping online; it can fill whatever void you need to fill (loneliness, in many cases). You never have to worry about feeling alone when you can constantly open up an app and start flirting! When you close down your accounts, you’ll be forced to learn how to be okay being alone. That’s an important thing to do.           [caption id="attachment_715104" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll feel liberated

Online dating is something you enjoy, but also something you feel obligated to do. Answering messages felt a bit like answering work emails—you’d get anxiety if you didn’t do it every day. You felt a lot of Fear Of Missing Out. Now, that can melt away.               [caption id="attachment_693930" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll be less superficial

You probably passed up a lot of guys because they didn’t look good to you online. Who can blame you? You had little information to go off of. But you’ll probably meet men in person who you’ll like, and who you wouldn’t have given a second look online.             [caption id="attachment_618197" align="alignleft" width="426"] Shutterstock[/caption]

You’ll up your game when you get dressed

You can no longer say, “All the men I’m interested in are safely tucked away online so I don’t need to look good unless I have a date planned with them.” Nope! Now you can meet someone anytime you step out of your house, so no more running errands in your sweats and a giant t-shirt.

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